Sporting News’ Super Bowl XLVII pick is alive and well, thanks to resurgent offenses. Houston and San Francisco pack the 1-2 punch this week as the league’s most complete teams after 10 weeks.

If they can keep their attacks balanced and prolific, it will be difficult to throw the Texans and 49ers off their collision course.

(AP Photos/SN Illustration)

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32. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 32)

Thankful for: Dynamic Jamaal Charles

Charles is doing his best to keep the Chiefs’ offense relevant, even when he’s getting little support from his quarterbacks.

(Chris Ochsner/AP)

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31. Jacksonville Jaguars (31)

Thankful for: Experienced Chad Henne

You can bet Henne wanted to play for the Jaguars for just this opportunity—when Blaine Gabbert got hurt and/or struggled. Now he’s got to prove what he did against Houston wasn’t a fluke.

(Patric Schneider/AP)

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30. Carolina Panthers (30)

Thankful for: Mighty Charles Johnson

Johnson has led a powerful Panthers pass rush, earning his big contract. There’s no blaming him for any of their recent costly lapses in coverage.

(Bob Leverone/AP)

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29. Oakland Raiders (28)

Thankful for: Versatile Marcel Reece

The Raiders keep learning the hard way that Darren McFadden, as gifted as he is, just can’t stay on the field due to injuries. Reece might be more than great relief to them soon.

(Ben Margot/AP)

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28. Philadelphia Eagles (24)

Thankful for: Committed LeSean McCoy

You might think it was shady for the Eagles to keep McCoy on the field late against Washington, but it’s hard to fault his effort, despite the fact everything in the offense is falling apart around him. He deserves a better season.

(Alex Brandon/AP)

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27. Cleveland Browns (29)

Thankful for: Driven Trent Richardson

Fellow rookies Brandon Weeden and Josh Gordon are having trouble taking the passing game to where it needs to be, but Richardson keeps on churning out tough yards inside and outside with a little extra burst.

(Brandon Wade/AP)

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26. St. Louis Rams (22)

Thankful for: Jacked-up Chris Long

When you see Long line up at defensive end with his version of war paint, you think of how he’s living up to his pedigree with a throwback style. Jeff Fisher quickly is turning him into a star.

(L.G. Patterson/AP)

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25. Tennessee Titans (25)

Thankful for: Promising Jake Locker

Locker should be ready to take full advantage of his many weapons after the bye. His first-rate athleticism and deep receiving corps are critical assets to having a successful end to Locker's second year.

(Wilfredo Lee/AP)

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24. Miami Dolphins (18)

Thankful for: Powerful Cameron Wake

The Dolphins’ offensive woes are catching up to them, taking away from their defensive strengths. Wake has been outstanding in his move to end, both as a pass rusher and run stopper.

(Bill Wippert/AP)

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23. Buffalo Bills (27)

Thankful for: Explosive C.J. Spiller

If the Bills hope to hang around in the AFC playoff race by getting a big win in Indianapolis this week, they need to keep feeding Spiller in hopes he can have his biggest game yet.

(Bill Wippert/AP)

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22. New York Jets (26)

Thankful for: Confident Rex Ryan

Ryan probably will keep his job for a couple of reasons: First, he’s not the one fully in charge of assembling their limited talent. Second, he’s capable of handling the pressure cooker and doesn’t let it affect the belief in his players.

(Elaine Thompson/AP)

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21. Arizona Cardinals (21)

Thankful for: Fleet Daryl Washington

The Cardinals’ active and aggressive defense is built around the inside blitzing talents of Washington at linebacker. He might have stayed in the player of the year talk if Arizona hadn’t faded so fast.

(Paul Connors/AP)

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20. San Diego Chargers (19)

Thankful for: Energetic Eric Weddle

Weddle is a jitterbug who flies to the ball in whatever role he’s used. With Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu inching closer to the end of their careers, he’s become the new premier all-around safety in the AFC.

(Jack Dempsey/AP)

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19. Detroit Lions (17)

Thankful for: Strong Calvin Johnson

Because of injuries and other factors, the Lions can’t seem to find reliable receiving options beyond Johnson. What makes Johnson special is that, even though he’s constantly the focus of opposing defenses, he keeps breaking through.

(Carlos Osorio/AP)

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18. Washington Redskins (23)

Thankful for: Electrifying Robert Griffin III

The Redskins’ season won’t end in the playoffs because of their injury-related defensive deficiencies, but that’s not Griffin’s fault. The rookie has been the dynamic dual threat everyone expected, and the passing part is more dazzling.

(Patrick Semansky/AP)

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17. Cincinnati Bengals (20)

Thankful for: Efficient Andy Dalton

Dalton has plenty of critics, and he fed into them with some midseason turnover struggles after a hot start. But he’s figured out how to make the critical plays without making the critical mistakes, looking like a playoff-worthy quarterback.

(Charlie Riedel/AP)

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16. New Orleans Saints (15)

Thankful for: Cool Drew Brees

The Saints have marched back into the playoff conversation after starting 0-4, and a big reason for that is the calming influence of Brees. Now their season is on the line yet again at home against San Francisco.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16)

Thankful for: Resilient Josh Freeman

Freeman had a tough 2011. But now that the Bucs gave him some much-needed help with Vincent Jackson, Dallas Clark and Doug Martin, it has put Freeman's game at ease. His strong arm and underrated athleticism are taking over.

(Bob Leverone/AP)

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14. Indianapolis Colts (12)

Thankful for: Mature Andrew Luck

Just like talented quarterbacks with more experience than him, he will have bad games. The key is in how he responds and learns from mistakes. It helps to be an "A" student there, too.

(Steven Senne/AP)

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13. Dallas Cowboys (14)

Thankful for: Focused Dez Bryant

Bryant is starting to do the little things that come with being a true No. 1 wide receiver, and he hasn’t lost his big-play mojo as he still possesses blinding speed. Unfortunately for defenses, he’s putting that together with better hands.

(Brandon Wade/AP)

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12. Minnesota Vikings (13)

Thankful for: Hard-working Adrian Peterson

He’s making a strong case for MVP, threatening to carry the upstart Vikings into the playoffs. Starring for what’s otherwise a very young team, Peterson is showing the way as a seasoned veteran who's been invaluable.

(Genevieve Ross/AP)

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11. Seattle Seahawks (11)

Thankful for: Smart Russell Wilson

He once was the most improbable starter among the rookie quarterbacks, but now it’s pretty clear why Pete Carroll made him No. 1 and his young leader. Wilson should keep improving as a passer after the bye.

(Elaine Thompson/AP)

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10. New York Giants (10)

Thankful for: Un-rattled Eli Manning

The Giants just had a bye, and there suddenly are concerns about whether they can win their division and surge into the playoffs. Manning and Tom Coughlin also are under pressure. Guess what? That’s when they start playing like champs.

(Michael Keating/AP)

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9. Chicago Bears (9)

Thankful for: Savvy Charles Tillman

The Bears’ defense had a rough night in San Francisco, but overall, its body of work has been outstanding this season in forcing turnovers. Tillman likely will help get them back on track with big plays vs. Minnesota.

(Nam Y. Huh/AP)

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8. Pittsburgh Steelers (7)

Thankful for: Overlooked Ryan Clark

Troy Polamalu’s absence and the Steelers’ success as a pass defense has provided an opportunity to see just how important Clark, their brilliant stay-at-home safety, is to their coverage and blitzing schemes.

(Don Wright/AP)

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7. Green Bay Packers (5)

Thankful for: Wily Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is refreshing because, despite having already proven he can do everything as an elite quarterback, he still plays like he’s fighting for the starting job. He somehow stays cool and hot at the same time.

(Rick Osentoski/AP)

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6. Denver Broncos (6)

Thankful for: Amazing Peyton Manning

Manning is in a complete groove, and that won’t change with running back Willis McGahee on the shelf. Denver can still run the ball and protect him. Expect Manning to stay super sharp in the quick-hit passing game.

(Julie Jacobson/AP)

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5. New England Patriots (8)

Thankful for: Resourceful Tom Brady

Brady has proved throughout his career it doesn’t really matter what kind of offense he’s running or to whom he’s throwing. Now without Rob Gronkowski, he’ll simply keep finding others for big plays.

(Charles Krupa/AP)

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4. Atlanta Falcons (2)

Thankful for: Ageless John Abraham

Abraham keeps getting the job done as a pass rusher, defying time and unfazed by not having a complementary threat on the other side. The Falcons’ entire pass defense has been strong, but it starts up front.

(John Bazemore/AP)

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3. Baltimore Ravens (4)

Thankful for: Relentless Haloti Ngata

The Ravens’ defense is holding up well despite mounting back-seven injuries because of its defensive line linchpin. Ngata looks healthier, and also is getting help again from Terrell Suggs on the edge rush.

(Rick Osentoski/AP)

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2. San Francisco 49ers (3)

Thankful for: Sturdy Frank Gore

Gore has taken a pounding but keeps on ticking as a low-to-the-ground power back who dishes out more abuse than he takes. Their offensive line and running game make things so much easier on a young quarterback.

(Tony Avelar/AP)

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1. Houston Texans (1)

Thankful for: Healthy Matt Schaub

The Texans were left thinking what could have been in last season’s playoffs if they had Schaub, and now they should be thinking big with him building momentum during this season’s second half.